Football game



J. R. SEITZ FOOTBALL GAME July 10, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12,1958 IST 2N0 320 4TH GOAL 5 l I 3O 4-5 40 35 30 25 20 [5 IO 5 GOAL 0135so a 20 l5 lo 5 GOA ems :0 I5 20 25330 as 40 45 so 45 4 24 21 INVENTOR.JOHN R. S's/1'2 Jul 10, 1962 Filed Dec. 12, 1958 PUNT &PLAC KICK RETURNKICK OFF gz msi KICKS J. R. SElTZ 3,043,594

FOOTBALL GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F UM BLE RUN KICKOFF INTfRCi-PFED RETURNRUN C 42(410) ule) 38 as 454m) INVENTOR. la/4N R. $5172 7 A TTOR/Vf YUnited St tes Patent 3,043,594 FOOTBALL GAD/IE John R. Seitz, 915Wheaten Drive, Lancaster, Pa. Filed Dec. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 779,979

7 Claims. (Cl. 27394) This invention relates generally to games and moreparticularly to a simulated football game wherein contestants act ascoaches of opposing football teams.

Heretofore, numerous games have been provided so that football games maybe simulated. Generally, such games are merely games of chance, bothcontestants having an equal opportunity to win. Skill and strategy playno particular. part in the outcome. A few games have been provided inwihich the tactical ability of the contestants plays some part. However,all such games only approximate part of what happens in an actualfootball game.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a game in which afootball game can be realistically reproduced, factors present in anactual game being reflected in the simulated game, including offensiveand defensive capabilities of the opposing teams, playing abilities ofindividual players, particular offensive plays carried out in relationto the settings of the defensive team for different plays, and theposition of the ball on the field.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated game in whichopposing teams are rated, it being possible for a team withone ratingbeating an opposing team with a higher rating, as'in real life, suchsuccess depending in large part on the ability of the contestant actingas coach of the team calling the proper plays at the proper time andoutmaneuvering the defensive team.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a game in which theability of the contestant handling the defensive team to anticipate thenext offensive play is reflected in the result of such play, affectingits success or failure.

Another object of this invention isto provide a football game in whichthe position of the ball on the field reflects upon the ability of theoffensive team to advance the ball.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game in which eachcontestant controls the line-up of his team, substitution of playersbeing possible.

A further object of this invention is to provide a game in which theselected eleven men in a line-up at a given point in a game reflectsupon the ability of such line-up to move the ball or successfully defendagainst the offensive plays of the opposing team.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a game whereinopposing teams can be related to presentday teams and real-life players,the teams being able to perform in the simulated game correspondingly totheir ability to perform in real life, stars performing outstandingly inthe game asin real life, and players of lesser ability performingcorrespondingly.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and from the recital in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gameboard on which is depicted, a footballfield having thereon a pair of movable gamepieces representing ayardmarker and a football;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the yardmarker and football,respectively;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chance number selector meansemployed in the game;

FIG. 5 shows a series of cards representing the plays used by a team onoffensive;

FIG. 6 is a sample playing cafd of the type provided to represent eachplayer on each team;

FIG. 7 shows charts used in the game to determine results of offensiveplays; and

3,043,594 Patented July 10, 1962 FIGS. 8-11 show charts used todetermine results of other plays in the game. 1

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, and firstt-oFIGS. 1-3, 20 denotes a gameboard on which is depicted a football field21. As shown, such field is divided into five-yard sections 22, as on anactual field, there being end zones 24 at each end of the field.

The gameboard is provided with a longitudinal groove 25 down the centerof the field and a longitudinal groove 26 along one side-line. Slidablealong groove 25 is a gamepiece 28 simulating a football. A sidelinemarker 29 is slidable along groove 26. Both gamepieces have downwardlyprojecting pairs of lugs 30 which fit into the gameboard grooves so thatthe gamepieces may be guided when they are moved. 7

Gamepiece 28 is in the form of a football. It has a pointer 31 wherebythe exact position of the ball on the field can be established. Sidelinemarker 29 has a length equivalent to a distance 'on the gameboardrepresented by ten yards. In the upper right hand corner of thegameboard 2%, four circles 32 are provided and denoted, respectively,1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, with the legend Down above the circles. Using abutton, coin or other object, the contestants in the game can keep trackof the downs. I In order to achieve movement of football gamepiece 28 onthe playing field, chance selector means is provided (FIG.'4) comprisinga cup 34 and a pair of dice 35, one large 36 and one small 38. When thedice are rolled in playing the game, the numbers turned up are combined,not added, the number on the large die being used as the first digit ofthe combinednumber. As a result, any number from eleven to sixty-six canbe rolled. If desired, dice of the same size can be employed, one red,for example, and one white, or some other color, so long as one die canbe designated and identified to provide the first digit of the combinednumber resulting from a roll.

For use by the contestant coaching the oflensivefteam 'are fouroffensive play cards 39 (FIG. 5) designated cards with eachcardrepresenting a player on the team.

A sample playing card 40 is shownin FIG. 6. v

Card 40 bears a players name 41,- and other general, personalinformation, the position he plays on offense 42,

and the position he plays on defense 44. Next to the ofsensive anddefensive playing positions are index numbers denoted 45 and 46,respectively. Also on the card there is indicated a second position 48which the playeris able to play on offense along with an associatedindex number 49. In the sample card, the player has an offensive indexat halfback of five, and an index at quarterback of two, the lower indexshowing a lesser ability to play the second position. On defense, athalfback, the-player has an index of three. These index numbers play animportant part in the game and their use will be subsequently shown.

Beneath the heading on the card are threesections 50, each having threecolumns headed R, P and K, or Run, Pass and Kick, respectively.Alongside each column is a series of numbers 51, beginning with llandend ing with 66, some of the numbers in between being omitted, asindicated. Alongside each series number 51, is a number under each R, Pand K column. For example'alongployed.

7,35. The numbers under the columns reflect the results of plays and areadapted to be transposed using the charts 69 shown in .FIG. 7.

There is one chart for each ofiensive playing card 39', namely, runningplay, plunge play, short pass and long I pass, or four charts. The fourcharts are similar, except they bear different indicia and, when used,produce different pla'y results. However, as on the Running Play chart,each chart is divided into three sections 61, 62 and 63.- The particularsection to be used in determining the result of a given play dependsupon the position of gamepiece 28 on the football field. For example,section 61 would be used if the ball was between the defensive teamsgoal line and nine yard line, inclusive. Section -62 would be used withthe ball between the defensive teams ten yard line and thirty yard line,inclusive. Sec tion 63 would be used when the ball is between thedefensive teams thirty-one yard line and the offensive teams own goalline.. Of course, other divisions could be em- Each section of eachchart is divided into three A',B and'C. Each column is divided intothree subcolumns, as shown, headed by a number. The manner ofdetermining the particular column and sub-column to be used in securingthe result of a play will be shown in describing the playing of thegame.

Each sub-column of each column of'eac'h section bears indicia settingforth the results of plays such as a plus number to indicate a'yardagegain, or a minus number to indicatea loss on a play. Also,'symbols areemployed with the numbers to indicate other possible results of a playsuch as F fumble, Iinjury, T-penalty, O.B.

out of bounds, an'd'TD-touchdown. Alongside each section is a series ofnumbers 64"relatedto the numbers found under 'th'R, P and K columns onthe playing cards If when a particular chart 60 is used the resultobtained is I orfumble, there is also given the player, by position, whorecovered the fumble for the other team. Likewise, when Lorinjury, comesup, it is specified by position which player is injured,.so that theplayer can be replaced. If T comes up, or penalty, there is also giventhe yardage result on'the play, such as a four yard loss orf ten yardgain. Also, there is designated the extent of theipenalty,

such as five yards for oifsides. The team getting the benei give theyardage of a 'kick. The results of kicks are set columns forth in acolumn 81, there being a series of numbers 82 related to playing cardsand numbers taken therefrom. The results of the kicks also set forth theopposing player who receives the kick.

For punts, a chart 84 is provided, there being three sections 85, 86,and 88 according to the position of the ball on the field. For example,section 85 could cover punts from between defensive twenty-six and fiftyyard lines, section 86 between offensive 49 and offensive twenty yardline, and section8S behind the offensive goal and out to thenineteenyard line.

Playing the Game Each contestant takes his set of playing cards 40,which represents the team which he will control. One

' team may be called team Xv and the other team, team Y.

fit of'the penalty can decide whether totake thepenalty, as

in a real game. For example, if the offensive team is offsidefand theresult with the penalty is a four yard loss,

the defensive team mightprefer to refuse the p enalty so that the downwill count against the offensive team. 0n

the other hand, if a substantial gain was made, the defensive team wouldwant the ball called back and the Pe mark O In addition to charts 64which cover the plays of the offensive team to advance the ball,additional charts are provided for other occurrences in aregularfootball game. A chart 70 is provided, as shownin FIG. 8, dividedinto four sections denoted, respectively, Punt and Place Kick Return,Kick Off Return, Intercepted Pass Run, and Fumble Recovery Run. The lastsection also covers recovery of the ball on a blocked kick. Each sectionis divided intocolumns A, B and C and alongside the chart is a'series ofnumbers 71 related to the numbers found under the R, P and K columns onthe playing cards 49. A result obtained from this chart is usually aplus or minus number to indicate a yardage gainor loss. Howevenas V withchart 60, fumbles, out-of-bounds, etc. can result.

In'FIG. 9, there is shown the Place Kick chart 72 used to determine theresults of field goal attempts. Such chart is divided into. fivesections, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78, as .shown,'each having an A, B, Ccolumn. The partic-' ular section of this chart used to obtain theresult of a place kick is determined by the position of the ball on thefield. For example, section 74 is used for kicks with the The contestanthandling team X. selects his offensive and defensive line-ups by pickingcards from his set of card-s. Eleven cards are designated for eachplatoon, or one card for each playing position. Likewise, offensive anddefensive line-ups are selected for team Y.

After the line-ups have been selected, offensive and defensive ratingsare established for the offensive and defensive line-ups of each team.This is done by totaling the index numbers 45 for the respectiveoffensive line-ups,

and the numbers 46 for the respective defensive line-ups. If theoffensive latoon of teain has a total of eleven or more points more thanthe defensive platoon of team -Y, column A is used in thevarioussections of the charts,

whenever team X is in possession of the ball. If the difference in thetotal is ten more to five less, inclusive, column' B is used. If thedifference in the total is six or more less, then column C; is used.- 7

Team Y kicks off and team X receives. The contestanthandling team Y setsgamepiece 28 on the forty yard. line on playing field'21. of team Ynames the player who will kick off, picking out the proper card '40 fromthe line-up. Then he rolls the dice 35. 'As previously stated, thenumbers resulting from a. roll are combined and not add e d, the numberon die 36 providing the firstdigit of the combined number. For examplefafour andthree is forty-three and not seven. In this example, the coachof team Y looks at the'selected card 40 representing the player whokicked. He looks under the K(kick) column opposite forty-three ofseriesnumber 51. In this illustration, if the card being used was theone shown in FIG. 6, the result would be twenty-four. Coach Y now'looksat the Kick-Off chart, FIG. 10, and opposite number twenty-four ofseries 80, the result of the kick is given, such as fifty-nine yands.Also given is the offensive player who receives the kick.

.Gamepiece 28 is moved down the field fifty-nine yards or to Xs one yardline. The receiving player now runs the ball back. The coach for team Xrolls the dice. The resultin'g'num ber is checked on the card 40 for thereceiver, and opposite the appropriate series number 51 under R (Run), anumberis given. Then the Kick-Off return section of chart 70 is used;The particular A, B or C column used depends onthe difference in IndexRatings of the opposing teams. Assume tha t team X is stronger than teamY, by more than eleven points, then column A is used and opposite thenumber in series 71 turned up on the receivers card is the result of therunback, for example, twenty-four yards.

The coach (contestant) Gamepiece 20 is now moved out to the twenty-fiveyard line. At this point, it is team Xs ball, first down and ten yardsto go. Yard marker 29 is positioned to extend from Xs 25 to 35 yardline. A coin or the like is placed on 1st down spot 32 and team X isready to proceed.

Now the coach of team X selects'a play card 39, such as Running Play,without letting the coach of team Y see it. He lays the selected cardface down and the coach of team Y sets his line orally. If the ball isbetween Xs goal and the thirty yard line, a four to seven man line canbe used on defense. Between Xs thirty and Ys ten, a five to seven ispermissible. Between Ys ten and Ys goal, a seven to nine man line may beset. Just as in a regular game, the closer the offensive team gets tothe goal line, the heavier the defensive team can set its line.

Assume that Y team sets a six man line. Coach X turns up the play card39. indicating the play he is going to use. Now he names the backfieldplayer who will carry the ball, such as the right halfback, and pullsout the card 40 representing such player. Then X rolls the dice andturns up a number. Using the proper card 44 R column, and proper series51, a result is obtained. Then, Running Play chart 6!) is consulted. Theparticular section 61, 62 or 63 consulted depends upon the position ofthe ball on the field. Since the ball is on the twentyfive, section 63is used. Since the difierence in the teams ability is A, column A isused; and since coach Y set a six man line, sub-column 67 is used. Thenumber from the card 40 is thus transposed into a yardage result, suchas four yard gain. Now gamepiece 28 is advanced four yards to thetwenty-nine, the coin on the down marker is moved to the 2nd circle, andthe next play is similarly run.

Coach X can run any of the four plays provided by cards 39 and he canuse any selected player to execute a play. Coach Y can vary his line atwill to anticipate the play to come. If coach X picks a running play andY sets a heavy line, the results of the play will show up on the charts,running plays against heavy lines producing poorer results than runningplays against light lines. In like respect, if Y sets .a heavy line, sayseven players, and then X team passes, the chance of success is muchgreater, for the yardage result from the particular section,colurnn'andsub-column used will reflect the field situation.

In like respect the particular section 61, 62 or 63 used on any of thecharts 60 will give varying results, the results decreasingprogressively from section 63 to section 62, and from section 62 tosection 61. This variation is provided to take into account whatactually happens on a football field. Generally, running plays are moresuccessful when the offensive team is closer to its own goal, or when inthe mid-field area. When the opponents goal is approached, gains on runsand plunges are more difiicult to secure; thus, the reason for thevarious chart sections.

When passing, the quaterback card is always used for the roll of thedice. The number resulting produces a number from the quarter-backs cardunder the P (Pass) column, which is then referred to the proper passchart (short or long pass). The A, B or C column used depends upon theability of the receiver as set forth on the receivers card 40, next toPass Receiving. Further, the position of the *ball on the field willaffect the result, because it willdetermine which section of the passingchart will be used.

If team X is unable to advance to a first down and wishes to punt, coachX so states. There is no play card 39 for punt. Coach X names the playerwho will punt, rolls the dice, and uses such players K (Kick) column tofind the play number. On the punt chart (FIG. 11), the

6- player who is punting, the position of the ball on the field, and thedifference in Index ratings of the teams.

If either team gets inside the opponents forty-five yard line, a placekick may be atternpeted, the particular coach selecting his kicker,rolling the dice and then using the kickers card 40 and Place Kick chart72 for the result.

From the above, the manner in which the game pro gresses can be,determined. To time the game, thirty plays are allowed per quarter, onehundred twenty per game. This means completed plays, not dice rolls,since some plays require several dice rolls before the entire play iscompleted.

With this game, all elements of an actual game are closely reproduced.The difference in total strength of opposing teams is reflected in theresults (A, B or C columns). The ability of the player carrying out "aplay is pertinent, as set forth in the number obtained from such playerscard in a given play. The position of-the ball on the field issignificant, since it determines the section of each chart to be used.The setting of the defensive line is pertinent in the offensive playssince it affects the results of plays by establishing the particularsub-column to be used. Also, the ability of the coach of team X to'out-play the coach of team Y is reflected since each coach has to selectoffensive and defensive arrangements.

This game is particularly adaptable to producing a simulated gamebetween two actual teams and real live players. For example, team X canrepresent a given pro team and team Y another team in the same league. Acard 40 can be provided for every player, the index ratings 45 and 46 onoffense and defense, respectively, being related to the players abilityin real life. When such a game is subsequently played, outstanding reallife players can be provided with indicia to produce commensurateresults in the game, with lesser players producing lesser results. Also,strategies can be tried out to see how they will work out.

In describing the game, it has been mentioned that the various chartsdesignate various players when the ball changes hands, for example whena kick-off is returned, fumble recovered, or the like. This may be doneby a number designation, the players on each team being numbered fromone to eleven. -For example, the left halfback could -be number nine,the quarterback eight, the fullback twelve, etc. Referring to FIG. 10,opposite l of series number 80 appears 62(09). The sixty-two would meanthe distance of the kick and the 09 the player receiving the ball.Further, in the charts only a sampling of play results are given, itbeing understood that each chart is filled with indicia in the actualsimulated game.

While this game has been generally described to indicate its componentsand the procedure for playing, it is capable of modification andthisapplication is intended to cover any variation use or adaptation ascomes within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains or within the scope of the invention and limits ofthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A game comprising, in combination, a gameboard on which is depicted afootball playing field, a gamepiece movable on said gameboard toindicate the position of the football on said playing field, a first setof eleven playing cards representing an offensive team, there being onecard for each playing position such as tackle, a second set of elevenplaying cards representing a defensive team,

there being one card for each playing position such as linebacker, eachof said playing cards bearing three sets result of the punt is found.The defensive line setting has of indicia for run, pass and kick playsrespectively, a

group of numbers on said cards opposite said three sets 1 of indicia andeach number in said group designating certain indicia in said sets,chance number selector means operable on each play to produce a numbercorresponding to one number of said group of numbers on said cards, aplurality of charts each of which is divided into a plurality of indiciabearing sections, an index number on each playing card indicatingplaying abiltiy, the total of index numbers on said first setof cardsindicating the total oifensive power of the offense team and the totalof index numbers on said second set of cards indicating the totaldefensive power of the defensive team, and the particular chart andsection thereof used to determine the result of a given play beingdetermined by the number produced by said selector means, thecorresponding number in said group of numbers on said playing cards, theparticular indicia on said cards designated thereby and the differencein total power between said offensive and defensive teams.

2. A game as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of play cards areprovided each bearing indicia for a particular play such as short pass,the number of defensive playing cards allocated forline play beingvariable at will and such number being related to said play cards,playing cards, chance number selector means and charts to secure theresult of a play.

3. A game as'recited in claim '1 wherein said chance number selectormeans comprise, a pair of dice, one large and one small whereby one ofthe dice can be readily used to provide the first digit of a two digitnumber and the other of the dice to provide the second digit, and acontainer being provided whereby both dice can be rolled simultaneously.

4. A game as recited in claim 1 wherein said gameboard bears four. downmarkers adapted to receive a coin or the like to keep track of the play,and a yardage marker being slidably mounted on said gameboard toindicate the distance required to be made to make a first down.

5. A game as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said charts is dividedinto a plurality of areas each of which has said plurality of indiciabearing sections, the particular area of said chart used for a givenplay being related to the location of said game piece on said gameboard.

6. A game comprising, in combination, a gameboard on which is depicted afootball playing field, a gamepiece depicting a football movable on saidgameboard to indicate the position of the ball on the playing field, ayardmarker movable on said gameboard, means for retaining said footballand yardmarker in position on said game'- board," a first set of elevenplaying cards representing an offensive team, there being one card foreach playing position such as tackle, a second setof eleven playingcards representing a defensive team, there being one card for eachplaying position suchas line backer, each of said playing cards bearingthree separate sets of indicia for run, pass and kick playsrespectively, a group of two digit numbers on said cards opposite saidthree sets of indicia and each number in said group designating certainindicia in said sets, a pair of dice, one large and one small whereby ona roll of the dice one die can be readily used to provide the firstdigit of a two digit number and the other 8 die to provide the seconddigit, said dice being operable on each play to produce a numbercorresponding to one of said numbers of said group of numbers, aplurality of charts each of which is divided into a plurality of indiciabearing sections, an index number on each playing card indicatingplaying ability, the total of index numbers on said first set of cardsindicating the total offensive power of the offensive team and the totalof index numbers on the second set of cards indicating the totaldefensive power of the defensive team, and the particular chart andsection thereof used to determine the result of a given play and therebyenabling movement of said football being determined by the numberproduced on a roll of said dice, the corresponding number on saidplaying cards, the particular indicia on said cards designated therebyand the difierence in total power between said offensive and defensiveteams.

7. A game comprising, in combination, a gameboard on which is depicted afootball playing field, a gamepiece movable on said gameboard toindicate the position of the football on said playing field, a first setof eleven playing cards representing an oifensive team, there being oneplaying card for each playing position such as tackle, a second set ofeleven playing cards representing a defensive team, there being one cardfor each playing position such as linebacker, each of said playing cardsbearing three sets of number indicia for run, pass and kick playsrespectively, a group of two digit numbers on said cards opposite saidthree sets of number indicia and each number in said group designating acertain number in said sets, a pair of dice operable on each play toproduce a two digit number corresponding to one of said numbers of saidgroup of numbers, said pair of dice comprising one large die and onesmall die whereby one die can be readily used to provide ,the firstdigit of the two digit number and the other die to provide the seconddigit, a plurality of charts each of which is divided into a pluralityof indicia bearing sections giving the results of plays and related tothe number indicia on said playing cards, the particular chart andsection thereof used to determine the result of a given playbeingdetermined by the two digit number produced on a roll of said dice,the corresponding number in said group of numbers on said playing cards,the particular number indicia designated thereby and the related indiciaon said charts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS SiegelFeb.'17, 1959

